Insulating window



July s, 1938. P, F, BOWMAN 2,123,093

INSULATING WINDOW Filed Nov. 9, 1956 Paul F Boa/man INVENTOR ATTORNEYSPatented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSULATING WINDOW PaulF. Bowman, Scarsdalc, N. Y.

Application November 9, 1936, Serial No. 109,991

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to window construction and moreparticularly to the means for securing a double thickness of glasswithin a window frame so as to provide an insulating layer therebetween.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel constructionof window affording means for the installation of two panels of glass ina single opening to provide an insulating cell between same so as tominimize the conductance of heat thru the window.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a windowstructure so arranged as to obviate the formation of a condensate on athe window resulting from varying atmospheric conditions existing oneither side of the window.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window having inaddition to the features above mentioned, simple means for the retention of the glass panels within the window frame, so formed as to affordconvenient installation.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a,consideration of the following detailed description when read inconnection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of theapplication.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view thru a portion of a windowembodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the window as shown inFig. 1.

Reference is now had to the accompanying drawing for a more detaileddescription thereof, in which the numeral 3 indicates the frame memberor molding comprising the window sash, the same being preferablyprovided with a recessed shoulder portion 4 into which the window glassunits may be installed. As before indicated, the invention comprises twoglass panels 5, disposed in spaced parallelism with each other so as toform a chamber or cell 6 therebetween. Each of the panels 5 are equippedabout their peripheral edges with a metallic channel 1 form.- ing areinforcing frame for the individual glass panels 5. The channels 1 arepreferably formed of separable members including an angle strip- 8 and acomplemental molding 9, the latter having its edge bent over to engage2. corresponding flange of the angle strip 8.

The primary purpose of the bordering channels I is to afford means ofattachment to the glass panels 5 for metallic diaphragms Hi, the

same affording a resilient mounting for the panels 5. The diaphragms ii)are preferably integrally formed by bending upon itself a strip ofspring metal along a line indicated by numeral ll, so as to form thecoextensive members Ill, 5 each of which is corrugated along anintermediate margin to afford greater resilience.

Preferably the diaphragms H] are mounted in the shoulder recess 4 of thewindow molding 3 by having their free edge ll engaged in a groove l2formed in a U-shaped molding 13. The molding I 3 has its free edgesflanged outwardly and is installed in the window frame 3 by being set inputty or suitable sealing compound [4 substantially as shown. It will benoted that the respective flanges of the molding l3 are disposedadjacent the respective edges of the panels 5 affording a minimum ofspace therebetween so as to permit independent movement of each of thepanels 5. L-shaped springs I5 are secured to the channel springs 4preferably at spaced intervals as shown in Fig. 2, being so formed as tosecurely engage the flange of the channel I so as to yieldably engagethe inner surface of the molding IS. The springs I5 are tensioned so asto coactively urge the panels 5 toward each a other thereby compressingthe gas between the panels 5 which gas is confined therein by thediaphragms Hi.

It is to be noted here that the cell formed by the panels 5 and theassociated diaphragms I0 is to be filled with an inert gas having a lowthermal conductivity, the gas being admitted at substantiallyatmospheric pressure. The gas confined in the cell 6 affords aninsulating layer by which to materially reduce the heat losses*occurring at the glass panels 5, without reducing the transparency ofthe window. The arrangement set forth also obviates the occurrence ofcondensate on the window pane in that each of the panels 5' assume thetemperature of the atmosphere to which they are subjected withoutpermitting any conductance of heat therethru. That is to say, the innerpanel 5 will not be subjected to the lower temperature existing on theoutside of the building and thus will prevent the formation of acondensate thereon.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extendedapplication and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing norto the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes andmodifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of theinvention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed as new is: I, 1. A window structure comprising incombination, a frame having a shoulder portion, a-

pair of glass panels in spaced parallelism with each other, resilientmeans joining said panels at their peripheries to form an airtight celltherebetween and extending beyond said panels to present a marginalmember bordering same, and a U-shaped molding secured in said frameshoulder portion and having a groove therein for reception of saidmarginal members.

2. A window structure comprising in combination, a frame having ashoulder portion, a'pair of glass panels in spaced parallelism with eachother, channels bounding each of said panels, integral diaphragms havingtheir free edges secured to said channels to form an airtight cellincluding said glass panels and extending beyond same to present amarginal member thereto, and a U-shaped molding secured in said frameshoulder portion and having said integral diaphragms disposed therein.

3. A window structure comprising in combination, a frame having ashoulder portion, a pair of glass panels in spaced parallelism with eachother, resilient means joining said panels at their peripheries to forman airtight cell therebetween and extending beyond said panels topresent a marginal member bordering same, a U-shaped molding secured insaid frame shoulder portion and having a groove therein for reception ofsaid marginal members, and spring means secured to said panels toyieldably engage said molding so as to tension said resilient means.

4. A window structure of the .type described comprising a frame having aflanged U-shaped shoulder portion, a pair of transparent panels disposedin spaced relationship substantially parallel each to the other,channels bounding each of said panels, resilient members mounted on saidchannels and engaging with said shoulder tending to force the panelstogether, and V- shaped supporting means mounted in the inner PAUL F.BOWMAN.

